36. A Sandwich is Good for Body and Soul

A Dark Guide... is that so?

So, it isn't just him; to you, all Sentinels likely carry the same weight. The instinct of a Guide is entirely non-existent in you; it is the Sentinels who need you, and the reverse is never true.

The crowds gradually dispersed from the other exits, and the sky grew dim.

Sae Itoshi sat inside the car. After his shower, he had packed his simple luggage, his next stop being the airport. By tonight, he would set off on his return to Spain.

He gazed at the familiar sunset, thinking that this scene seemed to have played out a few times back when you were still at the Guide Academy. His time was precious, yet he never felt it was a waste when spent on you.

His scattered mental energy gradually focused on a single point; Sae found himself unconsciously searching for any trace of your arrival. His five senses had etched your scent into his memory, and his mental pathways had done the same.

But for a long time to come, he would no longer be able to perceive it. Today was his last chance.

His manager, sitting in the passenger seat, turned to look at him. "Sae-chan, we can wait thirty minutes at the most..."

The message he sent you had received no reply, yet he knew your phone hadn't been confiscated.

"Forty minutes."

Sae was concise, shifting the pressure onto the driver.

"Understood."

The driver stared straight ahead, his expression unperturbed, though he began to wonder if he should go get a professional racing license.

The chaos in the locker room had finally subsided. Reo had been pulled aside for a quick check-up; fortunately, there was nothing seriously wrong. Ego Jinpachi hadn't said much, only reminding you not to pay attention to anyone who might contact you regarding the "Dark Guide" matter over the next few days. In a few days, Anri would come with you to sign the contract.

You nodded in agreement, but when you pulled out your phone, you saw a message from Sae Itoshi.

Thinking of his imminent departure for Spain, and the relatively pleasant grooming session you had shared before the match... you decided to go and say goodbye. You wondered what Ego had said to him when he blocked him outside earlier.

Tonight, because the cafeteria was serving unlimited portions to celebrate, the Sentinels of Blue Lock were exceptionally rowdy. It had probably been a long time since they had eaten so indulgently, and it was clear this "last supper" wouldn't end anytime soon.

It was too chaotic; the kitchen staff were so busy they were practically DJ-ing at the stoves. You wanted to go back and rest, so you ate a little and left early.

It shouldn't be too late at this hour, right?

You checked the flight information again, your pace quickening, and thus failed to notice someone quietly following you.

You walked quickly to the entrance, spotting the familiar license plate at a glance.

He was sitting on the other side of the backseat. The lowered window clearly revealed the empty space beside him. Did he mean for you to get in?

You leaned against the window, bowing your head to greet him. "Your performance in the match just now was amazing. Ego-san didn't say anything to you, did he?"

"............"

Sae Itoshi’s turquoise eyes remained silent.

Performance? You were clearly more concerned about Rin Itoshi just now. Ego? The tone you used to defend the man only made him more annoyed.

"Get in first."

You didn't refuse. It wasn't your first time in his car, and catching up wouldn't take long; he still had a flight to catch.

Once you were settled in the backseat and closed the door, the driver skillfully rolled up your window.

The dim daylight was completely cut off by the black glass. Then, both the driver and the manager stepped out of the car, their doors closing in unison.

You: ...?

Your nerves tightened. "You aren't trying to kidnap me, are you?"

Sae was silent.

He looked at you expressionlessly, yet he sank into deeper contemplation. If he hadn't been the one to encounter a newborn, non-aggressive Dark Guide like you, what would have happened?

Sae could see Ego Jinpachi’s ambition. Keeping you in Blue Lock, using those Sentinels as your test subjects—perhaps the world's greatest striker would be born from that. How would that group of Sentinels be treated by you? Would they be consumed by the same blissful separation anxiety as Kaiser? Or would they be able to feel your scent every day, until some lucky one eventually earned your preference?

He recalled the look of concern you had shown for Rin Itoshi.

A subtle, sharp pain twitched in his heart, and he only found relief after taking a deep breath.

If that were the case, why couldn't he be the one?

At the very least, he should be a step ahead of that German; he was the first to discover your talent, wasn't he?

That was the reason he wanted to see you before leaving, wasn't it?

"I just need you to do me a favor."

Sae’s mental energy fluctuated briefly, but his voice was calm when he finally spoke.

You relaxed slightly. "Go ahead."

He dropped a bombshell: "Enter my mental landscape."

"...?"

The memory of Ego Jinpachi’s conversation with you slowly resurfaced, with several keywords jumping into your mind: Kaiser, medication, mental bonding, near-marking, separation anxiety...

No, hearing those words from Sae Itoshi was simply too startling.

You suspected you had misheard him, or that perhaps he didn't quite understand the implications since he hadn't experienced separation anxiety:

"...Say that again, I didn't hear you clearly."

But Sae always seemed able to see right through you, his beautiful turquoise pupils seemingly issuing a silent invitation.

"I take medication."

Your brain stalled, but you took a lesson from your experience with Kaiser: "...Can you tell me the reason? Your pathways were groomed not long ago; you don't need purification—"

"Just because the pathways are fine doesn't mean the landscape is."

Combined with Sae’s typically unflappable expression, you became half-convinced. Although Sae always seemed cold, this only made him appear reliable and steady; he didn't seem like the type to tease others.

He was flying to Spain soon; he couldn't possibly drag you over there if something went wrong later, could he?

You could only blame the shadow Kaiser had cast over you.

You began to waver internally, but fortunately, someone else suddenly appeared—

A ruckus came from outside the car door beside you, and then the door was pulled open.

Light flooded in.

"Yo, so this is where everyone is."

Bachira-like hair color (wait—no, the description matches Shidou Ryusei) caught your eye; the gradient of light pink almost merged with the sunset. At this moment, ignoring the protests of the manager and the driver, he seemed to have nailed his hand to the doorframe, leaning in with one foot already inside.

You saw the manager clinging to his body until his face twisted, but it was all for naught.

Phew, although this guy was also difficult to deal with, the situation should be eased a little—

"Why did you leave after eating so little?" His mouth curled into an arrogant grin, and his gold-flecked slit pupils were filled with aggression in the backlight. "Little Guide, we agreed on living together as a trio, why didn't you call me?"